“Organ donation is the surgical process of providing one or more organs to be used for transplantation into another person. Organ donors can be deceased or living” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016, p. 1). The very first successful organ transplant was a kidney transplant performed in 1954. By the late 1960’s they were successfully transplanting livers, hearts and pancreases. Lung and intestinal transplants came shortly after in the 1980’s. At this very second 121,574 people are waiting for an organ and every day 22 people will die while they wait. A single organ donor can save up to 8 lives (HRSA, 2016). The number one reason for an organ transplant is end-stage organ failure which can be caused by a number of diseases. Examples of diseases that can lead to needed an organ transplant is Cardiomyopathy, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Hepatitis and Cirrhosis. Once somebody finds out that they need a transplant the first step is to get a referral from their physician to be seen by a transplant program to find out if they qualify as a candidate. The second step is to pick a transplant program. It’s important to do as much research as one can to find exactly which one meets the patient’s needs. The final step is to get listed. Once a patient is deemed a suitable candidate the transplant team will add you to the Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) list. (HRSA, 2016) Organ donation only happens with organ donors. Anybody can enroll in their
Since that time donation has been the only way to increase the current supply of transplantable organs. Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of organ donation due to misconceptions and lack of knowledge. In fact, organ transplant recipient Dr. Phil H. Berry, Jr. points out that there would be less deaths of people waiting for transplants, “if Americans would overcome their reluctance to become organ donors” (29). Organ donation whether it is upon your death or giving a part of a liver or one kidney while you are alive is a charitable gesture towards your fellow man and could give meaning to the end of your life. The mere act of donating could bring more peace to your loved ones at the time of your death and as a result, you could give
According to United Network for Organ Sharing (2010) organ donations and transplantation are the removal of organs and tissues from one person and placed into another person’s body. The need for organ transplantation usually occurs when the recipient organ has failed (UNOS, 2010). Organ donation can save the lives of many individuals who are on the waiting list for an organ donation. Becoming an organ donor can be a difficult decision. Many people have the false beliefs about being an organ donor. An example would be if organ donor is on their driver’s license and a person is in a life-threatening accident everything will not be done to save their life. There is an increase need for organ donors and unfortunately the need for organ
For over 13 year I have worked in healthcare and I have seen multiple patients die from organ failure as they waited on the transplant list. I’ve seen patients lose their quality of life as they sit in hospitals for weeks and months at a time as they waited for a kidney transplant. I also know people who have donated the organs of their loved ones and were blessed to know that their loss was the beginning of another person’s life.
Process of transplantation: “patient is identified as ill and organ failing, doctor assesses if eligible for transplant” (Ethics of Organ Transplantation, 2004, p. 6). “If so, doctor refers patient to local transplant center to be placed on the list” (Ethics of Organ Transplantation, 2004, p. 6). “The transplant center evaluates the patient’s health and mental status as well as the level of social support to see if the person is a viable candidate” (Ethics of Organ Transplantation, 2004, p. 6). “Organs can come from recently deceased people, cadavers, or living persons” (Ethics of Organ Transplantation, 2004, p. 6). “The waiting list for donors is maintained by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)” (Ethics of Organ Transplantation, 2004, p. 6). Now that I’ve set the basic principle for what an organ transplant
Recent medical advances have greatly enhanced the ability to successfully transplant organs and tissue. Forty-five years ago the first successful kidney transplant was performed in the United States, followed twenty years later by the first heart transplant. Statistics from the United Network for Organ Sharing (ONOS) indicate that in 1998 a total of 20,961 transplants were performed in the United States. Although the number of transplants has risen sharply in recent years, the demand for organs far outweighs the supply. To date, more than 65,000 people are on the national organ transplant waiting list and about 4,000 of them will die this year- about 11 every day- while waiting for a chance to extend their life through organ donation
Organ transplantation is a term that most people are familiar with. When a person develops the need for a new organ either due to an accident or disease, they receive a transplant, right? No, that 's not always right. When a person needs a new organ, they usually face a long term struggle that they may never see the end of, at least while they are alive. The demand for transplant organs is a challenging problem that many people are working to solve. Countries all over the world face the organ shortage epidemic, and they all have different laws regarding what can be done to solve it. However, no country has been able to create a successful plan without causing moral and ethical dilemmas.
Within the past few years, the demand for organs has increased at an alarming rate. This is due mostly to the fact that diseases and illnesses are becoming more prevalent and are brought on due to a significant change in American lifestyles. Failing organs can be caused by certain ways of living such as being a smoker or becoming obese. Many people are in need of a vital organ or know someone who needs an organ; these people are greatly impacted by a decision involving organ donation. Vital organs, such as the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and liver are involved, which means these people are in life and death situations. While organ transplants have created a way to give and receive life to others, the process has actually become controversial
Organ donating is a surgical procedure. In simple terms, it is removing a specific organ or tissue from a donor, and transplanting it into a recipient (Cleveland Clinic, 2014). Unfortunately, the recipient is receiving the transplant because his or her own organ failed, or is no longer functioning properly. When one needs a transplant, their name is put on a waiting list. In the United States, there are more than 122,344 people on the waiting list and a new name is added, on average, every 12 minutes (American Transplant Foundation, “Facts,” 2014). For many of the patients on the transplant list, receiving a transplant “offers the hope of disease cure” (Thomas & McKeown, 2012). One donor can save eight people with organs, and enhance 50 other people’s lives with tissues (Oxiem Brand Interactions, 2013). About 7% of the patients on the list, or more than 6,500 patients, die each year because they did not receive a transplant (American Transplant Foundation, “Facts,” 2014). On December 23, 1954, the very first liver transplanted from a living donor to a recipient took place. The transplant to place at Brigham Hospital in Boston, and was
Organ donation has been perceived as an effective way of curing chronic illnesses that were fatal in the past. As a portrayal of medical progress, it reflects the concatenated efforts of medical research that has paved way for better health in the society. Vast efforts have been placed by various governmental and non-governmental organizations to enhance successful transplantation as well as the identification of donors. Although instances of organ rejection are occasional, continuous improvement has reduced these patterns. Mainly, there are two approaches through which organs for transplant are acquired. The first way is the donation of an organ by a living
Every two hours someone dies waiting for an organ transplant. 18 people will die each day waiting for an organ. One organ donor can save up to 8 lives. . THE NEED IS REAL
Main Point 1: Organ donation is such a simple and selfless action one takes to save the lives of others. Now much of what we will we discuss, also applies to living donation, but we will focus on deceased donation. The number of patients waiting for organs far exceeds the number of people who have registered to become organ donors. According to UNOS, every 10 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant list. 20 people die everyday from the lack of available organs. Just one deceased person, can save up to 8 lives, 9 lives if you split the liver. Now if you donate tissues, you can improve the lives of up to 50 people! The need for organ donation is growing every minute. You can see why we need to register.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, every ten minutes a name is added to the National Transplant waiting list. As of December 1, 2015, there are 122,477 people that need a lifesaving operation and are on the transplant waiting list. While on the waiting list, there is an average of 22 people that die every day. So far, only 23,134 transplants have been done in 2015. (U.S. Depart.of Health and Human Services) This incredibly low number of transplants is why more people should become organ donors. Choosing to become an organ donor provides the opportunity to save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for many others with tissue donation. An organ donor can also provide comfort to the grieving family: the loss of the loved one will be helping others to live. Becoming an organ donor is much easier than many think. The decision can literally be done in just minutes.
According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services 18 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant. They also state that one organ donor can save up to eight lives. Those are significant numbers that should make us very much aware of the monumental impact organ donation can have on the lives of so many critically ill patients and their families. Although the tragedy of an accident or horrifying event is sometimes unbearable for the patient and the patient’s family, it may result in what some may call a “new hope” for those who are awaiting organ transplantation. Emergency department doctors and nurses play an integral part between life and death, between trying to save the patient and preserving the option of organ donation in the patient who cannot be saved.
Every thirty minutes someone gets added to the waiting list for an organ transplant (‘Frequently Asked Questions”). Not only that, but the number of patients being added to the waiting list is growing larger than the number of donors (“Organ Donation Statistics”). Many people are in the need of some kind of organ donation, so anyone who donates can help to save many lives. Organ donation is also such a great way to give back to people. Another thing is that to donate an organ a person does not have to pay money (“Organ Donation FAQ’s”). The only part that costs money is for the funeral if they are a deceased donor (“Organ Donation FAQ’s”).
As of November 30th, 2017, 116,080 people formed the organ transplant waiting list. On average, twenty people on this list will die today. The number of people that need an organ transplant continues to grow; every ten minutes a new name is added to the list. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “only 3 in 1,000 people die in a way that allows for organ donation” (“Organ Donation Statistics”). In order for a deceased person to give organs, the organs must still be alive to donate. Organ transplantation improved greatly over the last century, but with an insufficient amount of organs available, it limits breakthroughs. In essence, new methods need to replace the unavailable organs. These methods drastically improve the process of organ transplantation, and in the future, the overall humans well-being.